Valuable information on several acharyas.

About Nathamuni:

His original name was Ranganathamuni.

He is said to be the first of the acharyas for Srivaishanavites.

Nathamuni, was born in Kattumannar Koil near Chidambaram, in the month of Ani and star Anusham.

His disciple was Uyyakkondar who was born in the month of Chittirai and star Karthikai, in Tiruvellari. He is referred to as Rama Misrar in vaakya guru paramparai.

His disciple was Manakkal Nambi who was born in the village Manakal, near Lalgudi in the month of Masi and star Makham. He is called Pundarikakshar in vaakya guru paramparai.

The next in the line of Acharyas is the great Alavandar of Yamunacharya. He was the grandson of Nathamuni and was the disciple of Manakkal Nambi. Alavandar was born in the month of Adi and star Uttaradam, in Kattumannarkoil.

Alavandar's disciple was Peria Nambi who was born in Srirangam in the month of Margazhi and star Kettai. Periya Nambigal is one of the five disciples of Alavandar.

Then comes the great Ramanuja. Ramanuja (1017-1137 A.D.) was born in Sriperumpudur in the month of Chitrai and star Tiruvadirai. Ramanuja is also called Bhashyakara, Yatiraja, Udayavar, Emberumanar and Yatiswara.

Afterwards, there are two lines of Acharyas.

* There was Vedanta Desika. He was called the king of poets. Vedanta Desika (1268-1369 A.D) was born in Thoopul near Kanchi in the month of Purattasi and star Sravanam.

* The other line of Acharyas was headed by Manavala Mamunigal. Manavala Mamunigal (1370-1443 A.D.) was born at Sikkil Kidaram, in the month of Aippasi and star Mulam. Another opinion says that he was born in Alwartirunagari.

Nathamuni's works:

Nathamuni gave us two works - Yoga Rahasya and Nyayatattva.

Alavandar's works:

Alavandar gave to this world 8 works:

* Agama Pramanya,

* Purusha Nirnaya.

* Siddhi Trayam consists of Atma Siddhi, Iswara Siddhi and Samvit siddhi.

* Gitartha Sangraha

* Stotra Ratna

* Chatus Sloki.

Ramanuja's works:

Acharya Ramanuja gave us nine works:

* Sri Bhashya

* Vedanta Dipa

* Vedanta Sara

* Vedartha Sangraha

* Gita Bhashya

* Gadya Treyam namely Saranagati Gadya, Sriranga Gadya and Vaikunta Gadya

* Nitya.

Vedanta Desika's works:

* Rahasyatrayasara is a book which gives in detail the inner meaning of the three secrets or rahasyas. In the process, it expounds our Vaishnavite philosophy. It also dwells at length on the prapatti or saranagati as the means of attaining salvation.

* Taparya Chandrika. This is a lucid commentary on the commentary of Bhagavad Gita that was written by Ramanuja.

* Paduka Sahasram describes the greatness and beauty of the paduka of Sri Ranganatha in 1000 verses.

* Yadavabhyudaya gives the story of Sri Krishna. The slokas of Yadavabhyudaya are full of something supreme. It is because of the greatness of this work that it has been commented upon by Appayya Dikshitar, the great Advaita scholar.

* Sankalpa Suryodaya. This is an allegorical drama, again explaining the Visishtadvaita philosophy.

* Sata Dushani. This contains arguments against Advaita philosophy. As the name indicates, perhaps, it was intended to have 100 arguments. However, we now have only 66 arguments left, all against Advaita Philosophy.

* Hayagriva stotra

* Dasavatara stotra

* Bhagavad Dhyana Sopana

* Gopala Vimsati.

* Daya Sataka on Sri Venkateswara of Tirupati

* Sri Stuti

* Garuda Panchasat.

* Nyayaparisuddhi, Nyaya Siddhanjana, Adhikarana Saravali and Tattvamuktakalapa are works on our philosophy.

* He wrote beautiful commentaries on:

Perialwar Tirumozhi

Ramanuja Nutrandadi

Mumukshuppadi

Tattvatraya and Sri Vachana Bhushana of Pillai Lokacharya

Acharya Hridayam of Alagiamanavalapperumal Nayanar

Jnanasaram and Prameyasaram of Arulalapperumal emberumanar.

He also wrote:

* Upadesaratnamala

* Arthi prabandha

* Yatiraja Vimsati

* Tiruvaimozhi Nutrandadi.

Koorathazhvan's works:

Panchastavas consisting of Sri Vaikunta Stavam, Atimanusha Stavam, Sundarabahu Stavam, Varadaraja Stavam and Sri Stavam.

Other great works by different acharyars:

* Tirukkurukaippiran pillan wrote commentary (6000 padi) on Tiruvaimozhi.

Kidambi Achan; Embar;

* Engalazhvan wrote commentary on Vishnu Purana.

* Parasara Bhattar wrote commentary on Vishnu Sahasra Nama (Bhagavadgunadarpanam), Sri Rangaraja Stava and Srigunaratna Kosa, besides others.

* Nanjiyar wrote commentary on Tiruvaimozhi (9000 padi); and Sri Sukta Bhashya.

* Vatsya Varadacharya (Nadadur Ammal) wrote Tattva Sara, Prapanna Parijata among others.

* Sudarsana Bhattar wrote Sruta Prakasika and Sruta Pradipika, bothe commentaries on Sri Bhashya. He only coined the name Visishtadhvaidham.

* Kidambi Appullan wrote Nyayakulisam.

* Periavachan Pillai wrote beautiful commentaries on Divya Prabandham

* Vadakku Thiruveethi Pillai wrote Edu Commentary on Tiruvaimozhi (36000 padi).

Pillai Lokacharya wrote 18 Rahasyas - the more important being Mamukshuppadi, Tattvatraya and Sri Vachana Bhushana.

Alagiamanavalapperumal Nayanar wrote Acharya Hridayam, besides commentary on Tiruppavai and other works.

(Pillai is a term of respect, and not to be confused with the present day use of this word.)

Source: Many websites, Velukkudi Krishnan swamigal's discourse

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